DETROIT, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- General Motors has four of the six finalists for the North American Car of the Year and the North American Truck of the Year, it was announced today.
An international group of automotive journalists voted the Cadillac CTS, the Chevrolet Malibu and the Honda Accord finalists for the 2008 North American Car of the Year.
The Buick Enclave, the Mazda CX-9 and Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid are finalists for the 2008 North American Truck of the Year.
The awards are unique in the United States because -- instead of being given by a single publication, radio or television station -- they are given by 46 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada.
The jurors represent outlets such as the MSN Autos, the Toronto Star, Car and Driver magazine, AutoWeek, The Chicago Tribune, MotorWeek, USA Today, Autoline Detroit, Edmunds.com, Road & Track magazine, the San Jose Mercury News, Consumer Guide, the Boston Globe, Automotive News and Fortune.
The awards are designed to recognize the most outstanding vehicles of the year based on factors that include innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.
To be eligible, vehicles must be "all new" or "substantially changed" from the previous model.
Michelle Collins, Vice Chairman Automotive at Deloitte & Touche, was responsible for counting the ballots, which jurors sent directly to the accounting firm.
The finalists were announced today at a news conference during a luncheon held by the Detroit Economic Club and the North American International Auto Show.
Now the jurors begin a second round of voting. No later than January 2nd jurors must vote on the three car and three truck finalists.
As with the first round of voting those ballots go directly to Ms. Collins at Deloitte.
Ms. Collins will be the only person who knows the winners, which will be announced January 13th at the North American International Auto Show.
Although the winners are disclosed at a news conference at the North American International Auto Show the show does not give the awards.
Last year the North American Car of the Year was the Saturn Aura and the North American Truck of the Year was the Chevrolet Silverado.
While more than 50 new vehicles were eligible jurors finally voted on 15 cars and 13 trucks.
Here are the vehicles on which the jurors voted:
2008 North American Car of the Year nominees
Audi TT
Audi A5/S5
Cadillac CTSChevrolet MalibuChrysler Town & Country
Dodge Grand CaravanHonda AccordInfiniti G37
Infiniti EX35
Mercedes-Benz C-ClassNissan AltimaCoupeScion xB
Smart ForTwo
Subaru Impreza/WRX
Volvo C30
2008 North American Truck of the Year nominees
Buick EnclaveChevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
Hyundai VeracruzJeep LibertyJeep PatriotKia RondoLand Rover LR2Mazda CX-9Nissan Rogue
Saturn Vue
Toyota Highlander/Hybrid
Toyota TundraVolvo XC70
More information on the awards -- including previous finalists and winners -- is available at: www.northamericancaroftheyear.org.